When is Mahavir Jayanti?
Mahavir Jayanti 2022 Date
Thursday, 14 April, 2022
Mahavir Swami Jayanti marks annually on the 13th day of the Hindu month of Chaitra. Mahavir Swami Jayanti is a gazetted holiday in India where government workplaces at the state, local and national level stay closed.
What is Mahavir Jayanti?
One of the most famous festivals in Jainism is Mahavir Jayanti. It marks the 24th anniversary of Tirthankara Mahavir’s birth, who played an important role in Jainism’s preaching.
Born as Prince Vardhamana, Lord Mahavir belonged to the Ikshvaku Dynasty. He left home at the age of 30 in search of the reality in the Universe, even though he was destined to be an emperor, and gave up all earthly things, including clothes.
He led an ordinary and ascetic life, traveling, meditating, and fasting from place to place. He learned about the numerous pains and sufferings suffered by humans through his journeys and eventually attained enlightenment.
He continued his travels after achieving enlightenment, preaching the idea of total liberation from the cycle of birth, life, suffering, misery, and death, and how everyone can accomplish Moksh.
You might be also like to check other Jain Festivals celebrates in India.
Why is Mahavir Jayanti Celebrated?
Lord Mahavir is known around the world as one of the greatest prophets of social change and harmony. He followed in the footsteps of Tirthankar Parshvanatha, his predecessor.
He taught that it is important to follow the vow of ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truthfulness), asteya (non-stealing), brahmacharya (chastity), and aparigraha (non-attachment) to improve the quality of life.
Eight cardinal principles encompassed Lord Mahavira’s spiritual philosophy: metaphysical, and five are ethical. He assumed that the external life of the Universe is neither created nor destructible.
According to him, the Universe consists of six eternal substances: souls, space, time, material atoms, the medium of motion and the medium of rest. These elements shift independently to create the multifaceted world in which mortals exist.
He also introduced Anekantavada’s philosophy (the non-absolutism principle) that refers to the pluralism of life. The spiritual and moral grandeur of Lord Mahavir’s teachings impressed many people, not only in India but all over the world.
A simple religion, free of the numerous ritual intricacies, founded Jainism and inspired many people to follow his direction. Not only Jains but also several cultures across the globe are still supporting his teachings.
How is Mahavir Jayanti Celebrated?
The Jains prepare special recipes on the day of Mahavir Jayanti for the occasion. In areas where more of the Jain community, such as Gujarat and Rajasthan, celebrations are larger and carried out on a larger scale. On this day, the Jains make offerings to needy people.
The festival is not only celebrated in India; it is also celebrated vigorously by members of the Jain community living abroad. Children are told Lord Mahavir’s tales. There are Jain temples adorned with flags. For Jainism’s followers, Mahavir Jayanti is a very good day and the day ends at the shrine, temple or communal area with prayer and meditation.
Folks visit countless holy places in the name of Mahavira, and others go to temples to meditate and give Mahavir prayers. Articulations by renowned Preceptors are arranged within the sacred Jain temples to teach the path of morality and righteousness.
The Jain doctrine also organizes helpful and advantageous seminars to discuss and scrutinize life and reality’s basic questions. To honour the statue of Mahavir with flowers, rice, fruits, and Dudh Abhisheka, the holy temples also conduct traditional pujas with some rituals.
Overall, being honest and simple are the best traits of Mahavir Jayanti.
Check the Indian Festivals Calendar to know upcoming festivals of India at All Indian Festivals.
